New project

Laotractor · Mar 30, 2011

Hi everyone, I'm new to this forum so please be easy on me. I'm in the construction business. Mostly roads and so on. This year my company has received a contract for land clearance and plowing total of 10,000 Hectare for a corn farm ( industry farm ) in Laos-South east Asia. I'm not very experienced with tractors so I would like to ask you guys some advice. The area is small sized wood and high condecnced grass, I would like to ask what model, brand, HP attached equipment would you guys advise me to buy. Please consider the best consumption and most suitable for my project. I'm focus on these brands because of maitance and repair. In Laos has new holland, kubota, john deer dealers. Thanks and all advice is welcomed.

ultrarunner · Mar 30, 2011

I usually associate Caterpillar equipment for large jobs like the 20,000 plus acres you mention.

I believe Caterpillar has a presence in just about every corner of the world.

Laotractor · Mar 30, 2011

Yes we do have cat dealers here, but There mostly into heavy equipments. The project is only in need of tractors. Bulldozer will be to big for this project. Could you suggest tractor wise machine?
Thanks for reply.

MarkV · Mar 30, 2011

That is a lot of land to clear and plow. I believe I would be looking at how large of equipment you want to pull and then size the tractor for it. In the old days Rome Plow made large disks and plows for that type of clearing but they were normally pulled with dozers. I would guess you will be looking at tractors in the 150 hp and better range. Most of us here are using smaller compact tractors. Good Luck.

MarkV

zene55 · Mar 30, 2011

is 10,000 hectares about 24,000 acres? How many tractors are you planning on using?

Laotractor · Mar 30, 2011

I'm looking at 99 - 100+ hp Qtt. About 10 units. But overall I'd like some advice with you guys that have more real hand experience with tractors. Which would be more economic between more hp and less Qtt. Or more units w/less hp??? Which will be the most suitable for this kind of clearing. And this contract is about 1,000 + hectare per. Year
thanks

tonyoz · Mar 30, 2011

Would UXO's be a problem on a site that size? I belive there is plenty of it around those parts.

Laotractor · Mar 30, 2011

In Laos there is a UXO problem here, but in the projected area I will have a clearances before hand we do the land work! Thanks

fishfactor · Mar 30, 2011

We've done UXO remediation work. Keeps you squeezing the seat the whole time. They give you a escort that is supposed to stay in front of you. But 90% of the time it is impossible as the brush is too thick.

DIRTROAD · Mar 30, 2011

Too many variables.

If the land is mostly flat, I would get as big of an articulating tractor as I could afford and run it around the clock. Hook it to a double or triple barrell drum chopper or a huge set of discs and never look back.

I know that is easier said than done.

I have dealt with UXO during wildfire suppression before. Not a fun feeling at all.